Shoe pressing apparatus



F. DAWSON SHOE i PRESS ING APPARATUS July 20, 1948.

4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 12, 19514 July 20, 1948. F. DAWSON SHOE PRESSING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 12, 1944 July 20, 1948. F. DAWSON SHOE PRESSING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 12, 1944 2z5 47 /al F. DAWSON SHOE PRESSING APPARATUS July 20, 1948.

Filed Cb. 12, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented July 20,' 1948 Fred Dawson;

Gom'fo yShoe fitoxbuy, Mass., assigner to y Mahinery Corporation,- Boston,v Mass.; Ka ii'rlbliftoof Delaware Application. ctober i2. "1944, Serial .o. 558,374 solaires.' (CLL 11e-331) This invention 'fentes 'te presses rer 'use'iu the manufacture of shoes, 'relates more 15ezrti'eueA larly to presss "for 'use fin the "chthg' 'olf soles to lasted uppers.. p Y Y The usual shoe presses ofthe type'toixihicn invention relates" are .proiiide'd With heel "and tde engaging members which 'press thi "aid their soles against ,pads or 'other 'Supports lri" applying the Asol'e attaching pressure', or for 'sustaining the shoes against `pressure applied inflatable pads or other" s"ifp'po'rts'k against 'the bottoms of the sores. vSirchi'ieefl vandtoe 'engaging members are 'movable tow rds' :and away the shoes, and it lis ne 't'o ddl-just their positions each time a chai'fg'lr'ithe 'sji Ulel'g'ht of a lasted shoe takes .place.l Sirio-e" itis' ustornary t'o 'handle all s'i'Zs and heights Erf-. Lpaftfoufor "frequent adjustment of 'the hl `sind toe engaging vmembers has been trobles'oi'rie and has `increased the-Irlanaotlii'i' StS,

This invention eliminates the ri for th usual adjustments of the hieel and toe enga'ng members When shoes of dibie't sizes 'and heights are handled. This iS adooihplis'ld l one embodiment of the invention utlliin 'an inatabie pad 'for pressure .lasted shoes and "their Olitsls tthir, wi337 Suppotig .th movable lplaltens are lv'td at the 'base ef the press that triejaaiust Y different sizes and heights if-'shoes 'in h'egpfss 'a alito@- inatically .accomplished by irif`errin`ts l 'the platens and the i'a'tioof the pad Wlinfinflalting Afluid is admitted Yinto the pad. v

'An object of the ini/entren is to enrriifiatethe necessity for the usual adjustments of 'tliehel and toe engaging meinbersna shoe .press 'when shoes of different 'heights and .sizes are handled.

Another object; of .the invention is to lprvde adjustments in a shoe .pressior diferrrt sizes 'and heights of shoes, through movable members 'Buijporting 'a sole pressing'Y pad. l

Other objectsv of the .invention are .rdee .the operations required ln, and 'to reduce the cost of, the manufacture of Shoes.

The 4invention will now be describedwith 'ref-` erence to the drawing, of whi-h: Y

Fig. .1 is aside elevation .o f a shoepress effibodyin'g this invention and fillustrates'by dashd-ot'lines a conventional typeshoe in the press,- the sole pressing p'ad'be'l'n'g' 'iriated;

Fig. 2 is a plan 'View' looking 'downwardly 'upon .the pressof .Ei'g. i, `1 A Fig. 3 is a 'sectional View along tlrelines Sb-6r Fig. 1;

'Fiat-s' an end elevation looking at the toe f the DllSs OfFgS. i1 and '2, and 'is partially in section, the section being taken along -the lines 5;-5 -o'f Fig. 1, and

Fig. 6 is a view simmer te Fig. '1 'but vwith a Wedge heel shoe in the press.

The press illustrated includes the frame 1lll Whichis .attached by the studs Il and the nuts .I2 to the cleats I3 on the conveyor Ybelt l4. The belt I4 supported by 4the guide rails 'l5 and is adapted to be` moved by mechanism which may be similar topman disclosed in than. J. Weiss Patent No. 1,945,762 issued Feb. 6, 1934.

The inflatable pad 52 is supported at its `toe end bythe ilange l553 'formed 'on the frame F0, and is `supported .at its heel end bythe heel platen l5.

The frame l0 has a `U- shalae'd upper extension 54- which extends around the vpad "52 `and which supports it in its proper position with respect to a; shoe in the press .and which also serves to limit the upper expansion of the pad, When inflated, to :an area `con-arming to thefcontourfof the llorepart-'of Vthe shoe.

The-heel platen 'llt a U-'s'haped lupper leittension Ell Whichextends around the heel end of the pad 52 and which serves to support vit in zits proper position with respect Ito a shoe in the press, and which also ser-ves Ito lim-it the upper expansion of the pad '52, when inflated,V to an area eonforrning -t'o the cont-.our of the heel/'endet nie snee. l

'The extension 6u merges fw'iththeyiertlcal 'side' Walls B1; of the heel platen 46 and provides there# in opening' B2 'which Vextends-sulbstantially the full width of the Ipad 52 adjacent the shank posi tion thereof. The heel platenll' vhas the curved lip63` under' `the opening B2, on which vthe bottom of 'the p'a'dv52 below'jthe vopening 652 rests.

YThe pad `52 vis 'adapted to *be inflated and j'dee dated Vby the valve "5l which extends through fa b'or'e'in `the boss 5i) of Vthe -frarne l0, and which is adapted to be actuated `by"anoperator as-dis closedinl said Weiss patent.

r"'hetoe platen 35 'is piioted. `on 'the Studs '9 which extend through the 'toe ends of the `ro'eker arms 21' and 'the' strap" 31, and 'rocks about the studs 9 'when the pressure `in the :pad152 changes', as'will'be'described. 1

The"heel'platen 46 is pivoted on r'thestudsfll Whih' extend'through'the -h'eel'ends of the rocker arms 21 and the strap '42, and rocks about 'the studs lIl() when the pressure in the' pad E52fa1`1d the Apositions of the rocker arms "21 change, as

will be described. The two `bossesr into Wtiieh- 5 the studs 4"56 are threaded, are' 'formed .on the inner end "o'fthe .platen-46. The .studs 56 :extend through tnelll'arge-holes .51 :in 4the .arms Y:21 vand have attached thereto the upper ends of the springs 58. The lower ends of the springs 58 are attached to the bosses |20 formed on the frame I9. The springs 58 urge the inner end of the platen 46 downwardly and act to maintain the platen 46 in a balanced condition.

The rocker arms 21 are arranged in pairs, one pair being located at each side of the press, and are pivoted at about their centers on the studs 25 which extend through the support plates 23, the arms of each pair being spaced from the plates 23 by the spacers 26 and being held to the plates by the washers 28 pins 29.

When a shoe is in the press and the pad 52 is inated, the toe platen 35 will be moved downwardly by the expansion of the pad and will move the toe ends of the rocker arms- 21 downwardly. This will cause the heel ends of the rocker arms.` to move upwardly and to move the heel platen 46 upwardly until the heel portion of the pad is pressed against the heel of the shoe. When a conventional shoe is in the press, the toe platen 35, the rocker arms 21 and the heel platen 46 will assume the positions illustrated by Fig. 1. When a wedge heel shoe is in the press, the toe platen 35, the rocker arms 21 and the heel platen 46 will assume the positions illustrated by Fig. 6. The toe platen 35 turns about the pivot studs 9 in the toe end of the rocker arms 21 and the heel platen turns about the pivot studs 49 in the heel ends of the rocker arms, when the rocker arms change their position and cause the upper surface of the pad 52 to maintain the correct positions with regard to the underside of the shoe. in more detail in the following.

The plates 23 which support the rocker arms 21, are attached intermediate their ends to the frame 8 by the cap screws 2| which are threaded into the lugs 29 on the frame. The lower ends of the plates 23 are also attached to the frame by two of the studs referred to in the foregoing. The spacers 24 and the cleats I3 extend on the said two studs between the nuts |2 thereon and hold same against the frame.

The toe ends 4of the rocker arms 21 throughv which the studs 9 extend, are equally spaced by the spacers are held thereto by the washers 32 and the cotter pins 33. The strap 3| is held in the channel 34 formed in the toe platen 35 and is attached thereto by the cap screws 36.

The heel ends of the rocker arms 21 through which the studs 40 extend,'are equally spaced by the spacers 4| on both sides of the strap 42 and a-re held thereto by the washers 43 and the'cotter pins 44. rIhe strap 42 is held in the channel 45 formed in the heel platen 46, and is secured thereto by the cap screws 41.

The carrier arms 16 are arranged in pairs, one pair being located at each side of thepress, and are attached to the upper ends of the plates 23 by the studs 14 which extend through the arms 18 and through the curved slots 13 in the .plates 23. The spacers 15 space the arms 16 from the plates 23. The washers 18 are fitted to the outer ends of and retain the arms 16 thereon. l

The heel ends of the carrier arms 16 are attached by the pins 89 having the washers v8| and the studsl 14 the cotter pins 82, to the straps 80 and are spaced therefrom by the spacers 19. The strap 86 is iitted into the channely 83 in the cross-beam A|34 and is attached thereto by the cap screwsp85.

and the cotter This will be described 39 on both sides of the strap 3| andl 11 and the Vcotter pins' 4 'I'he cross-beam 84 has formed thereon the central lug 86 into which is threaded a conventional heel post 81 which is adapted to be locked into position by the lock nut 88.

The toe ends of the carrier arms 16 are rotatively -mounted on the ends ofthe cross-rod 92 between the spacers 99 and the shoulders 9| on the cross-rod.

The toev post carriers 94 are screwed to the threaded ends of the cross-rod 92 and are adjustablevbyturning the wrench-hold 93 on the cross-rod.

Thetwo similar toe posts 95 are formed, each Y with a clevis on its upper end which straddles one by'as,

of the carriers 94 and is pivoted thereto by the pin 96 and secured with the cotter pin 91. The posts 95 extend towards each other along converging lines as illustrated by Fig. 5.

lThe carriers 94 have downwardly and inwardly extending'lug'sS Vformed thereon andlthrough.

which are threaded the adjusting screws 99. The

studs `|60are threaded into the toe posts 95 andv support the inner ends of the springs ||l|. The outer ends of the springs IUI are attached to the studs |92 which are threaded into the car` riers 94. The springs ||J| urge the toe posts 95 against the inner ends of the adjusting screws 99.

By turning the wrench-hold 93 onthe crossrod 92 and by turning the adjustingV screws 99,V

ther positions of the toe posts 95 may be adjusted in accordance with the sizev and shape of the shoe to be handled in the press.

The lower ends of the toe -posts 95`are threaded to the screw studs |63 to which are attached the relatively soft toe contact pads |94 which, for example' may Abe ofv rubber or leather.v The studs |63 can be screwed up or down in the toeV posts for adjusting the positions of the pads, and

can be locked into position by the lock nuts |05.

Theupper ends ofthe links ||2 are piyoted on the endsof the cross-rod 92 between thespacers and the washers H9, and are held in place by the cotter pins The lower ends of Ythe links 2 havelthe slots I3 formed therein andthrough which the pivot studs I5 threaded into the frame I0, extend. The links ||2 pass through slotsV formed in the anges I6 on the'carriers 94 wherethe linksl pivot backwards and forward, the

toe posts 95 arecarried with them. Y

The springs ||1 are coiled around the cross,- rod 92 between the toe ends of the carrier arms and extend between the carrierarms at each side of the press. One'end of each of the springs ||1 is restrained by one edge of onevof the 'links ||2 and its other end is restrained by the lower edge of one of the outside carrier arms 16. The springs ||1 serve `to support the carrier arms 16 and the heel post assembly when they are movedxfrom the position shown by Fig. 1 to that shown` 'by' Fig. 6 as will be described. v A

The thumb screws 10 arev threaded through the lugs 1| on the'frame'lll. The springs 12are coiled around the 4thumb screwsY and serve tol prevent their turning under Vibrationvoi the press. The

thumb screws may be screwed down to, contact the inside rocker arms 21 for limiting the upward only when a press is first placed in operation. No further adjustments are made while conventional shoes of different sizes and heights are being handled. Adjustments of the heel post 81 and of the thumb screw 1li are made only when a wedge heel shoe is being handled. y

When the press is first placed into service,V a shoe is placed in the press and the wrench-hold 93,the adjusting screws Si) and the toe post screw studs H33 are adjusted until the toe posts 95 and their toe contact pads are in their proper positions with respect to the shoe. Different presses would be used for left and right shoes and different adjustments would be required, of course, for each press. It would not matter as far as these adjustments are concerned whether or not the shoe for which the adjustments are made is a conventional shoe or a wedge heel shoe. Neither would the size matter since the contours of the upper portions of all shoes the press is intended to handle, are substantially the same and said upper portions would all have the same heights in the press. For example, presses embodying this invention are designed to handle womens shoes ranging in size from one to eleven and including both conventional shoes and wedge heel shoes, without change in adjustment of the toe post assemblies.

When a conventional shoe is to be handled by the press, the thumb screw 1li is screwed downwardly for limiting the upward movement of the toe platen 35, and the heel post 81 is moved towards the toe end of the press until the studs 14 are in the forward ends of the slots 13 as illustrated by Fig. l. This causes the links H2 to move downwardly until the pivot studs H5 are in the upper ends of the slots H3 as illustrated by Fig. 1.

When a shoe is placed in the press with little or no air in the pad 52, the toe platen 35 and the heel platen 45 will be in alignment substantially as illustrated, by Fig. 1. Assuming now that a conventional shoe is placed in the press and the adjustments to accommodate such a shoe have been made. As air is applied to the pad 52 it will become inflated and in its forepart portion will exert downward pressure upon the platen 35 causing the toe ends of the rocker arms 21 to move downwardly and their heel ends to move upwardly. The upward movement oi the heel ends of the rocker arms 21 causes upward movement of the heel platen i5 and these upward movements continue until the heel portion of the pad 52 presses against the heel portion of the bottom of the shoe sole as illustrated by Fig. 1, and the assembly is in a balance determined by the pressure against the forepart and heel portions oi the shoe sole, and the tension of the springs 58. The pressure is maintained in the pad for pressing the sole against the shoe bottom, for the usual period of time.

During the inflation of the pad 52 and the movement of the rocker arms 21, the toe platen 35 pivots about the pivot studs 9 in the toe ends of the arms 21 and the heel platen i5 pivots about the pivot studs liti in the heel ends ci the arms for maintaining the platens in their proper positions with respect to the bottom of the shoe. The toe and heel platens thus shift with movement of the arms 21, with respect to the arms, and substantially align themselves with the planes of the shoe bottom.

When a wedge heel shoe is to be placed in the press, the thumb screws 1li are unscrewed for permitting the heel end of the pad to be pulled to a .arms 21 move relatively little, if any,

lower :position by the 'spring 15s, :and the lheei .post

Slis moved towards the -heel end of the press until 'the-studs 14 arefi'n the vrear ends 'of the slots 1-3 as illustrated by Fig. 6. This causes the links H2 to Amove upwardly until the pivot vstuds H5 are in the lower ends of the slots H3 as illustrated by Fig. `6. These adjustments provide for the additional height of a'wedge heel shoe.

n Then when the wedge heel shoe -i-s placed in the press and the pad 52 is inflated, the rocker from their normal (pad deilated) positions since the wedge heel limits upward movement of the heel platen 45 and corresponding downward movement oi the toe platen 35. However, if any movement of the arms 21 takes place, the toe platen 35 will pivot about the pivot studs 9, and the heel platen `llt will pivot about the pivot studs 40, and thus maintain the upper surface of the pad 52 in its proper relation to the shoe bottom. Complete inflation of the pad 52 then presses the outsole against the shoe bottom and this pressure is maintained for the usual period of time.

It will have been observed that in handling conventional shoes of different sizes and heights, al1 the operator has to do is to place the shoes in, and remove them from, the press, and to actuate the usual press advancing and pad inating mechanisms. It is not necessary to make any adjustments of the toe and heel post assemblies, iany variations in the size and height of the regular shoe being compensated for auto- .matically upon inflation of the sole pressure pad, by movement of the rocker arms and the toe and heel platens as described in the foregoing. The simple adjustments also described enable a single press to handle wedge heel shoes as well as reguliar ones.

While one embodiment of the invention has been described for the purpose of illustration it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact apparatus and arrangement of apparatus illustrated, as modications thereof may be suggested by those skilled in the art, without departure from the essence of the invention.

What is claimed is: s

1. A shoe press comprising a toe engaging member, a heel engaging member, -arms interconnecting said members at opposite sides of said press, supporting members extending upwardly from said press for supporting said arms, said supporting members having curved slots formed therein, and means extending through said slots and slidable along the curve thereof for adjustably pivoting said arms from said supporting members.

2. A shoe press comprising a pair of toe engaging members, means including a supporting member extending cross-wise said press for interconnecting said toe engaging members, a heel engaging member, a supporting member extending cross-wise said press for supporting said heel engaging member, means including arms interconnecting said supporting member at opposite sides of said press, plates extending upwardly from said press for supporting said arms, said plates having curved slots formed therein, and means extending through said slots for pivoting said arms from said plates.

3. A shoe press comprising an inflatable sole pressing pad having upper and lower dilatable diaphragms, a support for said pad, said support having fixed and movable sections, means for inflating said pad to dilate the diaphragms thereof atiagrgeisY REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Y Date 694,367 Gilford Mar. 4, 1902 2,018,808' Ricks Oct. 29, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 171,070 Great Britain Nov. 10, 1921 622,393 Germany Nov. 21, 1.933 

